The Zoologist — May, 1871. 2595 



badly wounded, escaping. They were sitting at the foot of the 

 chalk embankment, and he shot several times before bringing them 

 to bag. One which I examined a few days afterwards was a mature 

 bird ; the other, I am told, exhibited several gray feathers in its 

 plumage. If a single swan is shot from a flock, and left on the 

 ground or in the water, the others will often fly round and round 

 the place, frequently alighting again close to their wounded 

 comrade, and in turn fall victims. This was the case with 

 these birds, and I have known an entire flock, numbering six, 

 killed in the same manner at one time by a single gunner. 

 Hoopers vary considerably in weight. A good mature bird will 

 weigh from twenty to twenty-two pounds; above this weight they 

 are quite exceptional. 



Snow Bunting. — February 13. Last appearance. 



Ringed Plover. — February -21. Heard the spring note of the 

 ringed plover on the flats: are now in pairs. 



Common Snipe. — March 2. Snipe are returning. I found 

 them plentifully to-day in the bogs and about the marsh " blow- 

 wells." They were in pairs, and laid almost as closely as 

 "jacks." 



Green Sandpiper. — March 2. A pair this morning on our main 

 drain. 



Starling. — March 6. There have been for the last two or three 

 days some immense flocks of starlings in the Humber marshes, 

 probably ujigrants, as their stay was limited. 



Meadow Pipit. — March 7. Although resident with us throughout 

 the year, there is always a considerable immigration of this species 

 into our marshes in the early spring. I see they are returning to 

 all their summer haunts. 



Scaup Duck. — March 14. There are several flocks of scaup off 

 the coast. More daily come in with the tide, but manage to keep 

 at a safe distance from the embankment. With the aid of the 

 telescope T see that they are in pairs, — males and females in mature 

 plumage, — but in the same flock are others in the immature dress, 

 also in pairs, male and female ; from which circumstance it is 

 probable that this species occasionally breeds before obtaining the 

 full plumage. With reference to the common English name of 

 this duck, I believe it was Mr. Yarrell who suggested that it may 

 be derived from their habit of scooping up the mud in search for 

 shell-fish, &c. I think, however, it is more likely that we get the 



